“Be the Light” When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” John 8:12 If we are followers of Jesus, then we have the “light of life” within us. I don’t believe that light is for us alone, but that it is also there to help light the way for those around us. You and I are able to light up a life when we allow God to shine through ours. And remember, light shines brightest in darkness! Buy...

“God With Us” Matthew 1:23 says, “The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” — which means, “God with us.” In this painting I have portrayed Jesus as a baby holding on to ‘man’ to communicate how God is with us. He is with us in every season. In Isaiah 43:2 we are told, “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.” God never promised us immunity from trouble, but He did promise to never leave us or forsake us. He is Immanuel, God with us. Buy...

“Individuality” This painting is of my mom’s hybrid Irises along what used to be a barn, but is now my art studio! I look at each Iris and see such uniqueness and am reminded of how uniquely God created you and me. The definition of individuality is “the quality or character of a particular person or thing that distinguishes them from others of the same kind, especially when strongly marked.” Being born with a form of dwarfism, I was born distinctly different. As a child, I just wanted to blend in and be like everyone else. As an adult, I have learned not only is it okay to be different, but it is beautiful. When we wear our uniqueness proudly, it becomes the essence of our beauty and strength; so, be the best version of yourself by shining in who God has made YOU to be! Buy...

“Blessed Is She” Just as Elizabeth spoke these words to Jesus’ mother, Mary, so are we blessed when we choose to believe that God is faithful to his promises. We may not understand the process He takes us through between a promise made and a promise fulfilled, but we don’t have to. He is God and He is accomplishing far more than our eyes can see on this side of our promises. The orange Poppy is symbolic: Orange is often associated with fall, the season of harvest. Waiting on God’s promises is much like waiting for a harvest. Orange is also the color of fire which signifies one being tested and proven. Finally, the color orange represents boldness, intimacy and companionship with God. “Blessed is she who has believed that what the Lord has said to her will be accomplished!” Luke 1:45 Buy...

“Restored Beauty” This painting represents God’s ability to restore beauty to those of us who feel damaged, used or broken. When we seek Him, God breathes new life, purpose and hope into our lives. “…to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair.” Isaiah 61:3 Buy...

“My Hero” I was born with a form of dwarfism known as SED congenita which causes multiple orthopedic complications. In 1987, as a result of neurological damage as well as weak muscles from surgical manipulation, I became fully dependent on crutches for the next 13 years of my life. I remember during that time declaring in hope and frustration, “If ever I don’t need my crutches anymore, I’m going to burn them!” When I asked my doctor if he thought that day would ever come, his knowledge and understanding spoke, “Most likely, no”. I never stopped believing though in the One who could heal me, and just a few years later I threw the very crutches that ‘man’ said I would always need into a big bonfire! My doctor was there celebrating with me and said, “There are many doctors but only one Healer.” It was just before the Crutch Burning when I painted My Hero. This painting was inspired by the words of someone dear to my heart. He calls me his hero because of the strength he sees in my life, but what he doesn’t see is the source of that strength. In this painting I’ve portrayed myself as a little girl who has fallen while walking with her crutches. She looks up to the One behind her as if to say, “…but it hurts.” His strong, but gentle look reveals His response, “It will be okay; I am with you.” On my own I am weak, but His strength is always there to pick me up. He is my hero and His name is Jesus. You are my strength; I wait for you to rescue me, for you, O God, are my place of safety. Psalm 59:9 (NLT) Buy...

“Redemption” In Old Testament days animal sacrifices were required for the forgiveness of sins and reconciliation with God; there had to be the shedding of blood. But years later, in New Testament times, this changed dramatically. With a love that defies all logic, God sent His Only Son, Jesus, as the ‘Lamb of God’ who gave His life to bear our sins…once and for all. Because sin had separated man from God, the Lamb’s life-blood not only pardoned sin, making a way back to God for even the worst sinner to have a personal relationship with Him, but it also gave access to His unlimited power to overcome. In this painting God is handing down His sacrifice, the ‘Lamb of God’, into darkness where sin, disease and oppression thrive. However, the dying Lamb’s blood is washing over the words, removing their power and penalty. Each word has been hand written by different individuals who have experienced those very circumstances but have powerful stories of God’s forgiveness, healing, restoration and freedom. These testimonies bear witness to the fact that God redeems that which seems hopeless, no matter how imprisoned or destroyed a life may seem, when placed under the blood of Jesus. Nothing we have done or has been done to us can ever separate us from God’s love and power. Redemption is waiting… “They overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony;” Revelation 12:11a Buy...

“Breaking Through” Life often finds us bound by circumstances that seem far bigger and stronger than we are. Helpless and discouraged, we find ourselves living far from our potential and the freedom that we long for. We look, but see no hope for our tomorrows either. But regardless of what surrounds us, there is hope for freedom. When we stop striving and place our lives and circumstances into the hands of Jesus, He has the ability to do the impossible. There we are given hope, peace and freedom regardless of what our eyes may still see. Though the circumstances which held us captive may still be present, they now serve as the backdrop to our beauty. We are not who we were on the other side of the ‘fence’; we are changed because of the work God has done in us through our circumstances which once held us bound. By God’s grace we have broken through and are free to shine in all our beauty, just like this Hydrangea. “He upholds the cause of the oppressed… The LORD sets prisoners free…” Psalm 146:7 Buy...

“Overcome” Have you ever felt as if life was swallowing you whole and there was nothing at all to smile about; or as if you were tiny and insignificant in this world and had nothing to give to others? Chanda could answer yes…but she chooses not to. Instead, she has chosen to overcome with a smile when there is nothing to smile about and give to others out of her poverty. Amidst the dreary circumstances she calls life, Chanda’s beauty and strength rises higher. Chanda lives in Sermapore, India with her parents and seven siblings where one bed sleeps all the children. Her father is a rickshaw driver and her mother is a maid. Together they barely bring home enough money to feed their family of 10 with rotted food. Her father usually returns from work drunk and abusive. If these circumstances were not grim enough, Chanda was born with Cardiomegaly, commonly known as an enlarged heart. Her condition causes shortness of breath and extreme fatigue keeping Chanda from basic tasks, but also from her passion – dancing. Without surgery, her condition would eventually cause an early death. But, the heart surgery Chanda needed would never have been a possibility for this family except for the work of Calcutta Mercy. Through this ministry, Chanda received heart surgery at no cost to her family. Now, she is able to live without slowing down or avoiding certain activities due to her weak heart…she is even free to dance. Each of us can give wings to a child in need by giving them a chance to overcome their circumstances too. *All net proceeds from “Overcome” will be used to medically treat children in need through Calcutta Mercy. Buy...

“Immanuel…God With Us” Have you ever wondered how Mary planned for her baby’s arrival knowing she carried the Son of God in her womb? I have. I’ve wondered if she envisioned how God would provide the perfect time and place worthy of Jesus’ birth. Would it be a quiet place with just her and Joseph or a spectacular event? She probably pictured it many different ways, but most likely never considered a stable so far away from home. Yet, in God’s sovereign plan this is exactly how Immanuel came into this world. It was there she laid His tiny, precious body in a straw-filled trough from which animals are. Not only did God come to man as a baby, but He was born in the most humble circumstances. This birth of the Highest and Holiest in a stable seemed to foretell his life 33 years later when Jesus, sinless Himself, took on the sins of humanity and died on a cross as our sacrifice. That was the purpose of His birth…to pay the punishment we deserved for our sins, which provided a way for mankind to once again have a personal relationship with God. What purpose…What obedience…What Love “She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: “The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son and they will call him Immanuel” – which means, “God with us.” Matthew 1:21-23 Buy Now...